Join us for a day of exploring Alberta's beautiful mountains and our inner selves.
Trip includes:
return transportation from Calgary
hiking guide
one-hour yoga class with certified instructor
lunch (vegetarian option available on request)
Itinerary:
7:30 - 8:00 AM: Gather at Chinook LRT (free parking), load up Big Red and hit the road
9:00 / 9:45 AM: Arrive at trail head/parking, gear up and head out on the trail
11:30 AM / 12:00 PM: Break for lunch, take photos, chat
12:30 / 1:00 PM: Head back to trail head
2:30 / 3:00 PM: Yoga class*
3:30/ 4:00 PM : Depart for Calgary
6:00 / 6:30 PM: Arrive Chinook LRT, Calgary
Elbow lake is the headwaters which supplies Calgary with drinking water, with a deep emerald colour and crystal clear quality. Beautiful though often busy with hikers.
Mount Rae it’s Glacier were named after a Scottish surgeon, Dr. John Rae (1813 – 1893) a doctor for the Hudson Bay Company. An adventurer, skilled survivalist, snowshoe maker and traveller, he is thought to be the first European settler to survive an Arctic winter in Canada by living off the land. Rae’s embarked on four Arctic expeditions, which took him thousands of miles - he charted over 1800 miles of Arctic coastline and lead to his discovery of the fate of the Franklin Expedition. Check out this Youtube video narrated by Les Stroud. (Only one minute long.)
The Hike:
Get your heart rate up with a steady climb to Elbow Lake where you can stop for a quick rest,stretch and some picturesque scenery, then continue up to the base of the Glacier at Mount Rae along a series of considerable inclines and restful plateaus.
Length: 1-2 hours each way
Distance: 1.5-2 km to the lake + 2.5-3 km to the glacier (about 8 -9 km return)
Elevation gain: 350-450 m
Difficulty: Level 1 (Beginner) to Elbow lake, Level 3 (Intermediate) to Rae Glacier
Please bring plenty of water, a yoga mat**, sunscreen, snacks, and dress in layers and appropriately for the weather (note that the temperature can drop significantly with higher elevation).
* If the weather permits, the yoga portion will be held where we hike, before we leave the park. If weather does not permit (too cold or raining) we will hold an optional 6 pm yoga class at a studio after returning to Calgary
**Yoga mat is provided, however if you prefer more cushion for your practice, please feel free to bring your favorite mat.
Registration (closes18h before departure).